Saturday, December 20, 2008

Governor Paterson has his work cut out for him with respect to replacing Hillary Clinton. The top candidates are inter-woven in a web of marriage, betrayal and power sharing that would make Shakespeare proud!

Politico has a great article on New York nepotism, highlighting the family tiff between the Kennedys, the Cuomos and the Patersons.

It's no secret that New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was once married to Kerry Kennedy, the cousin of Caroline, and sister of Robert Kennedy Jr. Their bitter divorce left the Cuomos and Kennedys at odds with each other.

Gov. Paterson has that to contend with, not to mention his father's connections to state politics.

"As we always say, politics in New York is a different ballgame," said pollster Lee Miringoff, director of the Marist Institute of Public Opinion, adding, "Illinois may be making headlines, but it's still the Second City."

Indeed politics throughout the US are mired by nepotism, pay-to-play and behind the scenes wheeling and dealing.

Still, Gov. Paterson is in a most unenviable position; he cannot please everyone and is sure to have at least one New York Power Family against him.

All Members of Congress will get pay raise in January, 2009 unless they vote to block it. Each member of Congress will see another $4,700 in his or her paycheck over the next year, an increase of 2.8 percent over their current $169,300 annual salary. (Source: Council for Citizens Against Government Waste)

This amounts to roughly $2.5 Million more tax dollars going to pay these people.

“Members of Congress don’t deserve one additional dime of taxpayer money in 2009,” said The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste President Tom Schatz. “While thousands of Americans are facing layoffs and downsizing, Congress should be mortified to accept a raise. They failed to pass most of their appropriations bills, the deficit is on pace to reach an unprecedented $1 trillion, and the national debt stands at $10 trillion. In addition, this Congress has been ethically challenged, plagued with corruption allegations, convictions, and sex scandals.”

Admittedly, $2.5 Million is nothing in our current Winter Wonderland of Waste, but in the real world, raises are based on performance and like Mr. Schatz, we don't see how the performance of Congress justifies its 2.8% pay increase.

Friday, December 19, 2008

The estimated $850 Billion package has special interest groups salivating. Bachman cites a Washington Post story, saying the this plan “would include at least $100 billion for cash-strapped state governments and more than $350 billion for investments in infrastructure, alternative energy and other priorities…”

Rep. Bachman, like many conservatives, worries where the money will go:

You’ve got to wonder if the infrastructure investments that Obama is going to include in his package might come from the list of 11,391 projects that the U.S. Conference of Mayors recently submitted to Congress. The list includes things like a $4.8 million polar bear exhibit at the Providence, RI zoo and a $1.5 million water ride in Miami, FL.

According to a recent CNN article, other abuses of taxpayer dollars found within the report include: “a proposed $20 million minor league baseball museum in Durham, North Carolina; $6.1 million for corporate jet hangars at the Fayetteville, Arkansas, airport; $20 million for renovations at the Philadelphia Zoo; and a $1.5 million program to reduce prostitution in Dayton, Ohio.”

The requests represent what these mayors and Obama perceive as stimulating the economy and growing jobs through infrastructure rebuilding and maintenance. This type of plan has been tried several times throughout American history as has never worked!

If throwing $4.5 Million to fund polar bears in Providence, RI is Obama's idea of economic recovery, then we're in more trouble than we thought!

"I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing," he said, adding "that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong, and I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob."

"Let me tell you what I'm not going to do," he said. "I'm not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing and that's talk about this case in 30-second soundbites on 'Meet the Press' or on the TV news. Now, I'm dying to answer these charges. I am dying to show you how innocent I am. And I want to assure everyone who's here and everyone who's listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum in a court of law. And when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated."

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it onyou,If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you and make allowance fortheir doubting, too,If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or beinglied about,Don't deal in lies, or being hated,Don't give way to hating

.He added: "Now, I know there are some powerful forces allied against me. it's kind of lonely right now. But I have on my side the most powerful ally. And it's the truth. And besides I have the personal knowledge that I have not done anything wrong."

"To the people of Illinois, I ask that they wait and be patient, sit back and take a deep breath and please reserve judgment," he said. "Afford me the same rights that you and your children have. Presumption of innocence. The right to defend yourself. The right to your day in court. The same rights that people would expect for yourselves."

President Bush said the loans "will give automakers three months to put in place plans to restructure into viable companies -- which we believe they are capable of doing." He added that "if restructuring cannot be accomplished outside of bankruptcy, the loans will provide time for companies to make the legal and financial preparations necessary for an orderly Chapter 11 process that offers a better prospect of long-term success -- and gives consumers confidence that they can continue to buy American cars."

President-Elect Obama added, "The auto companies must not squander this chance to reform bad management practices and begin the long-term restructuring that is absolutely required to save this critical industry and the millions of American jobs that depend on it."

So, Congress and the President approved $700 Billion to assist the banking and credit industries. The $17 Million for GM and Chrysler will come from that money pool.

Why can't the banks loan this money to GM and Chrysler? Maybe because professionals in the banking industry understand that they are risky companies?

Is it even possible that GM and Chrysler will be able to prove enough "viability" in the next three months?

In reality, $17 Billion is pocket change in the current Bailout Nation. Not to mention, Obama'spork barrel government "stimulus" plan that will cost well $1 Trillion!

It just sets a dangerous precedent. Who is next? How many industries are going to use the same argument? What about the states like California and New Jersey seeking Federal money?

Looks like Bush just wants a quick escape and not be remembered as the Man Who Let the Auto Industry Fail.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

CBS News reported earlier this month that the Auto Industry spent over $50 Million lobbying Congress and on donations to politicians during the first nine months of 2008. Here are some highlights:

Sen. Carl Levin, a Democrat, received $438,304

Rep. Joe Knollenberg, a Republican, received $879,327.

Rep. John Dingell, a Democrat, received nearly $1 Million!

All have enjoyed generous support from the auto industry over their careers, with GM and Ford as their two top contributors. All support a bailout.

But nobody's been a bigger advocate for Motor City interests than Dingell. And for him, the stakes aren't just political, they're personal.

"There's an actual conflict," said Ryan Alexander of the nonprofit group Taxpayers for Common Sense. "His personal financial health, you know, the wealth of his family is tied up in the car industry."

Dingell's wife Debbie once worked as a lobbyist for GM. When she married the congressman, she became a senior GM executive at an undisclosed salary. And we found the couple has extensive GM assets. Dingell's current financial disclosure filed in May lists GM stock worth up to $350,000, options worth up to $1 million more, and a GM pension fund. In 2000, among the Dingells' GM assets were stock options worth up to $5 million.

And in 1998, the congressman reported selling GM stock options worth up to $1 million dollars. Dingell wouldn't agree to an interview. Taxpayer watchdog Alexander says the Dingell's personal ties to GM are something the public should know about when the congressman casts his votes.

"They stand to benefit if the company doesn't go under, if the company prospers," she said. "And they stand to lose a lot if the company goes bankrupt."

Nobody is placing bets on whether Congress will end up giving the car companies a bailout. But if investments in Washington politicians count as leverage, then the auto industry has plenty of clout.

Dingell is the poster boy for term limits. He came to Congress in 1955, winning a special election to replace his father who had passed away. Some relevant points from his Wikipedia Bio:

Dingell has opposed raising mandatory automobile fuel efficiency standards, which he helped to write in the 1970s. Instead he has indicated that he intends to pursue a regulatory structure thattakes greenhouse gas emissions and oil consumption into account. In a July, 2007 interview with thehill.com, he said “I have made it very plain that I intend to see to it that CAFE is increased” and went on to point out that his plan would have increases tantamount to those in the Senate bill recently passed. In November 2007, working with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Dingell helped draft an energy bill that would regulate a 40% increase in fuel efficiency standards.

Now, we have already discussed that CAFE standards add an unnecessary burden to the Auto companies. So in receiving millions in his career from the companies, he has tried to appease Environmentalists, yet protect the Auto Makers.

In July 2007, Dingell indicated he planned to introduce a new a tax on carbon usage in order to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. The policy has been criticized by some, as polling numbers show voters may be unwilling to pay for the changes. A Wall Street Journal editorial claimed that vehicle emissions standards that he supports will not yield any substantial greenhouse gas emissions savings.

His conflict of interest with the auto makers is astounding:

Dingell has drawn criticism for his ties to the automotive industry. The three largest contributors to his campaign for the 2006 election cycle are political action committees, employees, or other affiliates of General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and DaimlerChrysler, since 1989, intermediaries for these corporations have contributed more than $600,000 to his campaign. Dingell also holds an unknown quantity, more than $1 million, in assets through General Motors stock options and savings-stock purchase programs; his spouse, Debbie Dingell, worked as a lobbyist for the corporation until they married, whereupon she moved to an administrative position there.At present Ms. Dingell is a senior executive at General Motors and vice chair of the General Motors Foundation. On November 11th, 2008, American columnist Thomas Friedman wrote about the the lack of innovative business culture in American auto industry singling out Representative John Dingell:"The blame for this travesty not only belongs to the auto executives, but must be shared equally with the entire Michigan delegation in the House and Senate, virtually all of whom, year after year, voted however the Detroit automakers and unions instructed them to vote. That shielded General Motors, Ford and Chrysler from environmental concerns, mileage concerns and the full impact of global competition that could have forced Detroit to adapt long ago. Indeed, if and when they do have to bury Detroit, I hope that all the current and past representatives and senators from Michigan have to serve as pallbearers. And no one has earned the “honor” of chief pallbearer more than the Michigan Representative John Dingell, the chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who is more responsible for protecting Detroit to death than any single legislator."

So its obvious why Michigan Congress Members support a bailout. Republican or Democrat, they all need to be investigated. MichiganMessenger.com reports some good insight as well:

“For the last 20 years, the Michigan delegation felt that what was good for the big three was good for Michigan,” said Brendan Bell, Washington representative for the Union of Concerned Scientists. “Instead, 20 years of inaction gave the big three the rope to hang themselves with.”

The saga highlights the perils of congressional efforts to protect regional industries. Responding to evolving consumer tastes, America’s automakers focused much of the last two decades on producing larger, less efficient vehicles, exemplified by the sports utility vehicle, or SUV. Attempts by environmentalists and some lawmakers to install higher fuel efficiency standards were thwarted along the way, with the opposition rallying behind Michigan’s powerful representatives, particularly House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman John Dingell (D) and five-term Sen. Carl Levin (D). Between 1975 and 2007, federal fuel consumption standards remained unchanged.

Dan Becker, a Washington-based environmental consultant, said that “a wishful blindness” among Detroit’s congressional supporters has greatly contributed to the divide. “The auto industry has suffered from a number of members of Congress who drank Detroit’s Kool-Aid and protected the industry to death,” Becker said. “They’re now suffering because of their short-sightedness.”

**For More Information, maplight.org gives shows that Congressmen who received the most money from auto makers supported a bailout while those who received little or no donations voted no.

In the spirit of balance, we commend President-Elect Obama for choosing Rick Warren to give the invocation at next month's Inauguration Ceremonies.

Yet once again, the radical Gay Rights Movement has resorted to angry protests to show their disgust with the choice.

Warren's Evangelical views on many social issues are well-known, including his stance against same-sex marriage.

On Thursday, Obama defended his decision, saying "I would note that a couple of years ago, I was invited to Rick Warren's church to speak, despite his awareness that I held views that were entirely contrary to his when it came to gay and lesbian rights, when it came to issues like abortion."

"And that dialogue, I think, is part of what my campaign's been all about: That we're not going to agree on every single issue, but what we have to do is to be able to create an atmosphere ... where we can disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans."

Again, we applaud Obama for choosing tolerance and acceptance over hatred and anger.

(Source: ABC) Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary, said Thursday, "There's an orderly way to do bankruptcies that provides for more of a soft landing. I think that's what we would be talking about. That would be one of the options.

President Bush added, "This is a difficult time for a free-market person. Under ordinary circumstances, failed entities, failing entities should be allowed to fail."

The White House is being pulled in two directions. Speaker Pelosi urged Bush to act quickly. She said 2 million U.S. jobs are dependant on Bush giving the industry a loan.

Republican members of Congress are telling bush that "no amount" of money will save the companies, adding, "American taxpayers cannot afford to save every company facing financial peril."

We agree with the fiscal conservatives. Here's why.

BAILOUT OUT YOURSELF

Cerberus Capital Management LP, a leading private investment firm, owns 80% of Chrysler and 51% of GMAC. The company also owns bus manufacturer Blue Bird and car parts maker TA Delaware (formerly Tower Automotive). Other holdings include a 45%-stake in Japanese bank Aozora, real estate services firm LNR Property, and a 52%-stake in ACE Aviation Holdings, the parent company of Air Canada. (Source: Hoovers)

From the company's website homepage: "Cerberus believes that strong corporate governance is the cornerstone of our business. We believe competition makes the global economy more productive and more efficient, which enables companies to succeed long-term in the globally competitive marketplace. "

So why are we even debating giving AMERICAN TAX DOLLARS to bailout a company with over $100 billion in annual revenue and one which is a global company with business interests from Japan to Canada!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Great stuff from Radio Iowa The Blog. Everything you need to know about the new Secretary of Agriculture (that's really him pictured above!) including connections to, surprisingly, Rahm Emanual and Rod Blagojevich!

Energy and Environment are the same thing. Part of Obama's economic stimulus will be to fix environmental issues. "We can create millions of jobs, starting with a 21st-century economic recovery plan that puts Americans to work building wind farms, solar panels and fuel-efficient cars." Does anybody want this stuff? Does it even work?

Cap and trade to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, regardless of its economic effect on companies.

Stephen Chu as Energy Secretary who supports research for new and environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuels.

Another Clintonite Carol Browner to serve as "Climate/Energy Czar"

Fox News reported that many scientists take issue with an AP report on global warming.

"Reporters, as I understand reporters, are supposed to report facts. What he's doing here is he's writing a polemic and reporting it as fact, and that's not right. It's not reporting. It's propaganda."

Michael R. Fox, a retired nuclear scientist and chemistry professor from the University of Idaho

"There's very little that's right about it. And it's really harmful to the United States because people like this Borenstein working for AP have an enormous impact on everyone, because AP sells their news service to a thousand news outlets.One guy like him can be very destructive and alarming. Yeah it's freedom of speech, but its dishonest."

James O'Brien of The University of Florida

"Global climate change is occurring in many places in the world. But everything that's attributed to global warming, almost none of it is global warming."

He calls the AP article based on "bad science". "When the Arctic Ocean ice melts, it never raises sea level because floating ice is floating ice, because it's displacing water. When the ice melts, sea level actually goes down."I call it a fourth grade science experiment. Take a glass, put some ice in it. Put water in it. Mark level where water is. Let it met. After the ice melts, the sea level didn't go up in your glass of water. It's called the Archimedes Principle."

He called sea level changes a "major scare tactic used by the global warming people."

And all of this will be supported by Liberal Congress who must appease their radical environmentalist special interest groups.

The problem is not global warming. The issue is that Obama is prepared to spend billions on an energy plan that simply will not work, not too mention based on incorrect facts.

The Al Gore Environmental Left must be stopped. There exist far greater problems. If we wish to be truly energy independent, there may be some environmental risk.

Or we can start building more nuclear facilities. But that would make too much sense and would not give the Left anything to cry about.

Bloomberg is reporting an investigation into possible pay-to-play involving New Mexico!

A federal grand jury is investigating how a company that advised Jefferson County, Alabama, on bond deals that threaten to cause the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, did similar work in New Mexico after making contributions to Governor Bill Richardson's political action committees.

Maybe Obama is right? Dealing with rogue dictators might not be the most difficult he has to overcome when he has so many rogue friends to discuss!

Speaking to ABC's "This Week," McCain was asked whether Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin could count on his support in a potential future Presidential candidacy.

"I can't say something like that. We've got some great other young governors. I think you're going to see the governors assume a greater leadership role in our Republican Party," he said. He mentioned governors Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jon Huntsman of Utah.

Another reason we lost the election. We knew you were never Conservative enough, John. Also, much thanks for mentioning that the RNC should lay off attacks on Obama with respect to Blago! No, thanks, John -- we're all here to keep a close eye on good ol' Barry and his Chicago wiseguys!

Maybe McCain should just become a Democrat. Maybe we can trade McCain for Leiberman?

Republicans serve Conservatives, we Conservatives do not serve Republicans. McCain is a centrist and while that may serve him well in the Senate, he is not the kind of candidate Conservatives need to win a Presidential race.

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Christopher Kelly, a former campaign adviser and close confidante of Gov. Blagojevich, will plead guilty to Federal tax evasion charges in January.

For more on his relationship with the Governor, check out an article from last years Chicago Tribune.

In addition, we've also found an interview that the Daily Southtown conducted with Blago in October, 2006, the same week that Tony Rezko was indicted for taking kickbacks from firms seeking state business.

Q: Are you confident that Chris Kelly is not going to be indicted?

A: Yeah. Yes. They're two different people, by the way, and it's a different relationship. Chris and I are much closer. Chris is the head of my political campaign. That's someone I talk to a lot more frequently. I'm confident, yes.

Q: What happened five months ago that you had this final, last conversation with Tony Rezko? What was the last conversation and why was it the last one?

A: It was four or five months ago; could have been at an event somewhere that I saw him. It was fine.

Q: Were you starting to distance yourself from him at that point?

A: Not all. I think I need to explain the extent of the relationship. He's not an exclusive friend of mine. He was a supporter of mine. He doesn't have a formal position in our campaign. He never did. He made some recommendations during the transition and during the first year we were building an administration, but for the most part, that's it. I think some of the talk that he's this big adviser is frankly overblown.It's different with Chris. I'd be shocked. I'm very confident in Chris.

So, here's what we know. Both Chris Kelly and Tony Rezko raised money and were advisers to Rod Blagojevich. Tony Rezko raised money for Barack Obama. Rezko, Obama and RahmEmanual supported Blagojevich during his gubernatorial run. Emanual gave Blagojevich a list of Senate candidates to replace Obama. Emanual and Blagojevich served the same congressional district. Emanuam is Obama's Chief of Staff. Blagojevich was arrested for corruption charges.

ABC News is reporting that Ed Genson, attorney for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, told reporters as he arrived at work Monday morning, "I think the case, the case that I've seen so far is significantly exaggerated. It's just, it's not what people think it is."

According to Barack Obama and his spokesman Dan Pfeiffer, the Transition Office will not release details of its internal review until the week of Dec. 22 at the request of prosecutors "in order not to impede their investigation of the governor."

At the risk of sounding skeptical, isn't it odd that the President-Elect would wait until Christmas to announce the details of such a high profile investigation?

Sunday, December 14, 2008

According to The Wall Street Journal, among others, the White House spent the weekend deliberating over how to provide stimulus to the beleaguered auto industry in the wake of Friday's defeat of a bill in the US Senate.

The only way such a proposal would make sense is if any company receiving government assistance would enter into bankruptcy, renegotiate union contracts and restructure entirely.

A bailout of the Auto Industry would lead to a downward spiral of Federal Tax Dollars being "loaned" to other companies and state governments.

How would they decide which entity gets which money? This would set a dangerous precedent that could threaten the very core of capitalism and the free-market system.

It seems as President Bush is intent on two things: (1) Provide enough short-term assistance to get him through the next month and pass the mess onto his successor Barack Obama and (2) Not be known as the President who let the auto companies fail!

President Bush made a surprise visit to troops in Iraq on Sunday when an angry Iraqi Journalist threw his shoes at the President.

The President was in Iraq to sign the US Iraq accord that will replace a current UN pact, and keep US Troops in the country through 2011.

It's nice to see how much the Iraqis appreciate their new found freedom of speech and freedom of press.

A little gratitude would be nice, but President Bush took it lightly during what will likely be his final visit to Iraq.

Unfortunately for this Iraqi reporter, Saddam Hussein is no longer in power. The former dictator would have surely tortured and murdered this man. Again, he should count himself lucky that President Bush and the US military have granted him freedoms he would never have under Saddam.

This is the kind of behavior one would expect from the anti-Bush leftist American media sooner than a liberated Iraqi!

Valerie Jarrett served as a board member for several organizations that provided funding and support for Chicago housing projects operated by real estate developers and Obama financial backers Rezko and Allison Davis.

Housing projects operated by Davis and Rezko have been substandard and beset with code violations.

As Chief Executive Officer of the Habitat Company Jarrett also managed a controversial housing project located in Obama's former state senate district called Grove Parc Plaza. According to the Boston Globe the housing complex was considered "uninhabitable by unfixed problems, such as collapsed roofs and fire damage...In 2006, federal inspectors graded the condition of the complex an 11 on a 100-point scale -- a score so bad the buildings now face demolition."

In June 2003, Rezko held a ritzy fundraiser for Obama at his tony Wilmette mansion. Obama later said, “Rezko was not my largest fundraiser but a significant fundraiser.” According to Reuters, Obama said Rezko raised as much as $250,000.

Rezko’s June 2008 trial on corruption strongly implicated Blagojevich. Blagojevich allegedly discussed a state job for a donor, after that donor wrote a $25,000 check for his campaign. In all, prosecutors said, Rezko squeezed various companies for some $7 million in kickbacks.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Andy Martin in April 30, 2007: “In a large urban area such as Chicago state senate districts are not very large. They encompass several compact and contiguous neighborhoods. If you walked the district (Obama's then State Senate District) even occasionally you would know, you should know, almost every large building in the district.”

Obama, now serving as a U.S. Senator, “professed total ignorance about the slum tragedies literally on his own doorstep,” Martin wrote. “How, could a state senator in a poor neighborhood not know about eleven (count ‘em) slum buildings in his own district? … Especially when the state senator’s own law firm represented the slum landlord?”